Projects, Projects, Projects!

Well, I finally put together some activities to keep little Emma Leigh happy while I learn with the other kids! It was fun, simple, and overall very cheap- my kind of combination. Here are some of the toddler time activities she has been enjoying:

 Homemade Playdough.

 Rice and Pasta Table.

 These activities appeal to more than toddlers!

 Egg cartons and wooden clothes pins create hours of fun.

 Sticker book (or "sticky book" as Emma calls it).

Strainer and pipe cleaners make a cool spider!

 Just plain water and cups!

 And all my little projects worked! It allowed me to keep her happy so that I could do OTHER projects with the older kids. Like make volcanoes:

And go to 4-H classes! Benjamin signed up for Arts & Crafts which he graciously allowed Brad to attend with him. He is also participating in a Photography class and his pictures will be entered in the County Fair next summer. Savanna is participating in a cake decorating class and will also be raising a pig to earn some money for college.

 

Other projects: I can't believe I did not document this with any photos but we just completed our second 6 Month House Purge! More bags and bags went to the dump and to charity. Every cupboard, closet, room, and drawer was cleaned out, organized, and put back together. I'd like to say I am sitting in a clean, organized, wonderful space right now as I type but let's face it, I have 4 kids! Our house stayed clean for about 3 days. It was a WONDERFUL 3 days!! However it hasn't been completely destroyed, and now as things pile up the kids are more inclined to take care of it. 

To help with this we have started new "stewardships" where they rotate responsibilities for the kitchen, bathrooms, and floors. It's nice as the kids get older to have more hands to help out and to teach them the importance of taking care of their home. It's also nice to have a place for everything and to get rid of the clutter, and make room mentally and physically for our actual needs. I am collecting home decor ideas on Pinterest. I am so grateful to have a home. It is cozy and warm and safe. And it houses 5 of my favorite people! It will be fun as we continue down our journey to invest some money into this place and beautify and spruce it up properly. For now I will be content to keep it as cleaned and organized as possible!  

 Another huge project that was part of our purge was to clean out all of our cupboards and medicine cabinets, and get rid of all our toxic cleaners and toxic personal products. I experimented with homemade cleaners several years back. It was fun and actually quite simple. With the arrival of Emma I stopped doing a lot of things I used to do out of necessity. I replaced a lot of my homemade cleaners and personal products with natural store bought versions but it has been getting very pricey. Plus, a few toxic ones snuck back in because they are much cheaper and more convenient to find. SO, out went the Comet and bleach wipes and any other product with parabens, phthalates, sulfates, chlorine, dyes, or petroleum. I have found that I can make everything myself from dish soap to toothpaste with about 15 ingredients (many of which I have in the house at all times any way). Some of my natural concoctions I like better than others. Some I think I just need to get used to...they don't always have the same consistency and texture as store-bought. 

Savanna and I are researching make-up and hair care products that don't contain carcinogens and have ordered some samples. I threw out what I knew I could immediately make or replace, but there are a few lingering items that will need to be replaced over time as the research and funds are available. It feels liberating to know I can keep my family safe and clean without relying on companies that don't have our best interests in mind. It's kind of a joke that we have been told that we need 47 different cleaners when Castile soap, white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some essential oils can pretty much clean everything in my home! I have created a recipe book that I am hoping to share with everyone once I have tried and perfected the products to my liking.

 

 Sept/Oct 2012

July 2012

Happy August!

This month James and I will celebrate our TENTH wedding Anniversary! We have a wonderful, romantic day planned, and I can't wait. :)

But until then, here are a few pics from the remainder of July. Lots of cuteness, lots of work, and lots of learning!

Princess Emma.

Savanna loves her new curling iron.

The boys spoiling Em with a double foot massage- I want one!

Savanna trying out her underwater camera with her friend, Tahlia.

Emma made a friend at the park. This little girl, who Emma insisted on calling "Baby" like she does any child regardless of their age, followed her around the whole time! At first Emma liked it but toward then end she stared saying, "Go Baby. Go Bye Bye Baby." This chick didn't take the hint though!

Peek...

A-Boo!!

It's a good thing we didn't bother seeding the backyard. DIRT...hours and hours of fun for everyone!

James' LAST "week ring" from the academy. It was still on the wall- he took it down eagerly! 2 more weeks of training and 8 more months of probation, and then maybe the guy can take a little break (or a long break)!

My Sis and her kids came for a visit (more pictures at the bottom). The girls had a blast in the little pool we have. I couldn't believe how brave Emma and Gabby were- they just threw themselves down the slide into the water and giggled like crazy!

Em is twirling her hair again. She had a not-so-nice, little bald spot in the back so we got her hair chopped off this week- I actually really like it! SO glad we didn't need to buzz her!!

I read "The Hatchet" with the boys. It's about a boy who gets stranded in the wilderness for 47 days and has to make his own weapons, hunt for his own food, make his own shelter, etc. After hearing this story, Bradley decided he was going to make a bow. He found this stick, took one of his shoe laces, and uses a tinker toy rod for arrows. It shoots pretty darn far! He wants a real one after watching the Olympics!

The littles watched their first Shirley Temple movie- "Heidi." Shirley was about Brad's age in this movie, and he thought she was SO cute!

Story time with "Bwad."

We must be entertained while we eat!

Speaking of spoiled, Marley likes to keep James' pillows warm while he is working graves.

We FINISHED our house purge!! Our last project- the closets!! BEFORE....

AFTER!

And here is our new and improved "Learning Time" Closet!

My house is officially cleaned out, organized, and as efficient as it's going to be for now. We are going to re-due the purge twice per year, donate what we don't need, purchase things we do, and keep our space and energy clean.

Brad practicing his hula hoop skills in Albertsons.

Emma and "Baby" slide together.

Well our summer is about over. We are officially starting "School" next Monday! It's been great- we've had visitors, Savanna has taken several mini vacations, we've been to the beach, the park, and the zoo. We were able to get our house reorganized, plant a garden, and start a new exercise program...somehow, surprisingly, I am not feeling all that rested! But we have revamped our schedule, and I think we are all excited about digging into our studies again. I am planning on studying more about finance, psychology, relationships, and religion. Savanna is excited about studying cosmetology, fashion, business, and baking. Bradley is wanting to learn about archery, cars, music, and cooking. Benjamin wants to learn about art, reading, history, and typing. Lots to learn, and I am so glad we get to do it all together. :)